Bloom for the 32, Hokie Nation

For all of us in the Hokie Nation, this verse has deeper meaning because for many of us, these words bring to mind that terrible day, April 16, 2007, when 32 members of the Hokie Nation lost their lives on our campus. And yet, here in this sleepy little college town in the beautiful mountains of Southwest Virginia, just as the Bradford Pear, Dogwood and Crab Apple trees start to bud, in April, the Hokie Spirit blooms on this campus even more than it used to before that dark day eight years ago.

We bloom with the Big Event.

We bloom with the 3.2 Mile Run in Remembrance.

We bloom with the International Street Fair.

We bloom with Spring Family Weekend.

We bloom with the Maroon-Orange Spring Football Game.

We bloom with the Relay for Life.

We bloom with Open Houses and Hokie Focus where more young minds are invited to come Invent the Future with us and join the Hokie Nation.

You see, April is a busy month for us, for we have a greater purpose to make our university motto, Ut Prosim, That I May Serve, a part of our daily lives. We’re not just living for ourselves. We pursue our purpose and drive to serve others for the 32 who had that purpose and drive taken away forever.

Be cruel, no more, April.

Spring is here. 

The Hokie Nation is positively blooming.